Chrystia Freeland calls for ‘Buy Canada’ plan in trade fight with Trump

OTTAWA — Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland says she knows how to avoid punishing U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods: Scare the Americans out of the idea.

Freeland says in a statement Canada needs to release a retaliatory list totalling $200 billion against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened 25 per cent tariffs.

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She says Ottawa must immediately publish a consultation on a detailed, dollar-for-dollar retaliation plan that includes high-priority targets such as Florida oranges, Wisconsin dairy and Michigan dishwashers.

Freeland is also calling for a “buy Canadian” plan in the event Trump moves ahead on the tariffs, threatening to cut off the U.S. from Canadian government procurement — with the exception of defence.

Rival candidate Mark Carney said in an interview with Radio-Canada over the weekend that cutting off Quebec’s hydro exports to the U.S. should remain an option on the table in a trade fight with Trump.

Leadership hopefuls only have hours left to sign up party members who can vote in the race, with the cutoff deadline set for 5 p.m. today.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2025.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press